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Pleurocoelus

Mounted Apatosaurus skeleton, a massive long-necked sauropod
Photo: MCDinosaurhunter, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pronunciation
ploor-uh-SEE-lus
Name means
Hollow Side
Also known as
Astrodon
Diet
Herbivore
Posture
Quadrupedal
Period
Early Cretaceous
Length
29 feet (8.8 meters)
Height
20 feet (6.1 meters)

Order: Saurischia · Suborder: Sauropodomorpha · Infraorder: Sauropoda · Family: Brachiosauridae

Pleurocoelus was a four-legged browser with front limbs longer than its hind limbs. One of the most abundant dinosaurs of the Early Cretaceous, it had a small, narrow skull and teeth that were similar to Camarasaurus but thinner. Its limbs also resembled Camarasaurus, but Pleurocoelus's toes were more slender than other sauropods. Pleurocoelus tracks have been identified at the Glen Rose, Texas trackway, as have those of Acrocanthosaurus.

Towering mounted sauropod skeleton in a museum atrium
Photo: Etemenanki3, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

More Cretaceous-period dinosaurs →

Reference background: Natural History Museum, London — Dinosaurs; Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Dinosaurs; American Museum of Natural History — Dinosaurs & Fossils. Figures are typical published ranges; taxonomy follows the source era and modern consensus is noted where it differs. See our sources & fact-check policy.

Frequently asked questions

What does Pleurocoelus mean?

The name Pleurocoelus means “Hollow Side”. It is pronounced ploor-uh-SEE-lus.

When did Pleurocoelus live?

Pleurocoelus lived during the Early Cretaceous.

Was Pleurocoelus a carnivore or a herbivore?

Pleurocoelus was a herbivore.

How big was Pleurocoelus?

Pleurocoelus was about 29 feet (8.8 meters) long, around 20 feet (6.1 meters) tall.

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Other dinosaurs from the Brachiosauridae family.

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